Cumbrian’s Stubbing Out for Stoptober & Swaptober
We’re steaming towards the start of Stoptober and Swaptober, which means only one thing; smokers up and down the country will be stubbing out for a month of smoke-freedom.
The NHS led campaign aims to get the UK’s nine million smokers to ditch the cigs throughout October. Research suggests that kicking the habit for 28 days makes you five times more likely to give up entirely – further to this, scientists have found that if your spouse or partner quits you are also two thirds as likely to stop yourself.
The average smoker sparks up just under 5000 times a year and with the price of a pack constantly on the increase – each cigarette setting you back 40p – it’s quite an expensive habit to keep up. A bit of quick maths works out that you could save over ￡2000 by quitting; that’s enough to book an all inclusive family holiday to Majorca, get the food shopping for six months or even buy a used car.
Although the NHS recommends an entirely nicotine free month, we understand that going cold-turkey might be something only done on Boxing Day. An increasingly popular way of giving up traditional cigarettes is the phenomenon of vaping.
Vape pens are no longer a stranger on the streets of Cumbria with people vaping everywhere from the pub to the park, even modern offices see people puffing away on their e-cigarette.
Vaping is purported to be a 95% safer alternative to smoking and although most e-cigarettes contain some nicotine they don’t contain any of the tar or smoke associated with traditional cigarettes.
The nicotine in the vapour helps quell the cravings whilst removing the toxic tar. The physical act of raising the e-cig and puffing faux smoke also helps to calm any psychological impulses.
Whether switching to an e-cig for Swaptober or going cold turkey for the Stoptober, having a smoke free October could end add years to your life, improve your health and give your bank balance a boost.
For help on stopping smoking speak to your GP, or visit http://www.smokefree.nhs.uk/stoptober to receive free resources to help you quit.
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